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What are emerging fields of inquiry?
Emerging fields of inquiry are areas of academic interest that illuminate developing states of consciousness. They address timely issues that contribute to the evolution of new conceptual frameworks and worldviews in the society. By creating opportunities for cutting edge thinkers to pursue ideas, The Graduate Institute invites colleagues to actively participate in the development of emerging fields of inquiry and their concomitant impact on local and global cultures.
I am currently researching various possibilities for graduate study. Why choose The Graduate Institute? The Graduate Institute fills an unusual niche - it provides opportunities for learners who are interested in the personal pursuit of meaning and understanding. These colleagues are independent thinkers in search of organized approaches to knowing. They require the support of a committed learning community as they strive to create meaning grounded in active participation and collaboration. The Graduate Institute provides the arena in which they find the challenge, the guidance, and the sustaining environment that enables their cultural and intellectual evolution. Simultaneously, it opens passages for personal and professional development. Whilst engaged in their selected field of emergence, and steeped in the traditions of inquiry, these adult learners assume full responsibility for their involvement as scholars, for their engagement as contributing citizens, and for their roles as members of family and community. As individuals and as cohorts, they strive to contribute to the betterment of society. It is the desire of the Institute, and its colleagues as well, to participate in the construction of an equitable, sustainable, and humane world society. The Graduate Institute has made an inferred promise, and a declared vow, to deliver learning that emerges from the native brilliance of its community members, from the emerging inquiry foundational to specific fields of interest, and from the social and spiritual values that create the concept of human being. Consequently, its programs reflect dynamic opportunities for learning, invite the voice of new insights, and lay the foundations for nascent realities. The Graduate Institute is dedicated to learning as it serves individuals, as it facilitates intellectual emergence, as it supports civilization, and as it establishes the cultural sustainability required to support all human kind. That’s Why The Graduate Institute.
Can I arrange a campus visit? Yes. The Graduate Institute’s Admissions Department is happy to set up campus visits with interested degree candidates. These can be arranged Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, by contacting an Admissions Representative. Candidates are strongly encouraged to attend an Information Session, which will provide a full overview of the Institute’s programs and admissions requirements. Find an Information Session near you.
Is The Graduate Institute accredited? Yes, The Graduate Institute is fully licensed, chartered, and accredited by the State of Connecticut, Department of Higher Education, Board of Governors.
Can I enroll in individual classes at The Graduate Institute, or must I commit to an entire degree program? Due to the nature of the Institute’s cohort model, in which learning is a function of community, participants are not able to register for single classes. Instead, candidates enroll in a full degree program, where the course content is presented throughout 22 monthly class meetings. Specific course requirements vary by program. However, the Institute is currently offering Certificate programs in specialty areas, where individuals may participate in weekend seminars and earn 12 graduate credits that may be applied toward a Master’s degree. For more information, please contact an Admissions Representative.
When do classes meet? Classes meet once a month on the weekend. A weekend session is comprised of a Friday evening, from 5 to 9 pm, and Saturday, from 9 am to 5 pm. In addition, certain programs require one week of classes in the summer. Please contact Admissions for cohort schedules.
Do I need to register for classes? The good news is no, participants do not need to register for their classes. The Graduate Institute utilizes an integrated curriculum model, which means that course content is presented within the context of several learning events. In other words, during each monthly class session, a variety of topics will be covered that speak to concepts from multiple courses. Although courses are listed to satisfy registration, grades are not required to be awarded for individual courses untilall courses have been completed. The course registration is handled for colleagues by the Registrar’s office.
What kind of assessment method does the Institute utilize? It is the Institute’s perspective that the primary function of assessment is to improve colleague learning and performance. Progress toward achievement of program objectives is evaluated on the basis of successful completion of program components. This includes, but is not limited to, lectures, symposia, workshops, projects, mentorship(s) and internship experiences.
What kind of coursework will I need to complete in between classes? Each colleague will maintain an electronic portfolio, a document that serves as an archive of his or her academic work. The electronic portfolio will include writing responses to monthly class sessions, book and chapter responses, assigned papers, and mentorship and internship reports. Each colleague will also design and execute a Culminating Project, which is the equivalent of a Master’s thesis. The Culminating Project is a significant action-based initiative that is based in research and designed and implemented by the colleague. It provides an opportunity for colleagues to refine and demonstrate their knowledge in a particular subject area, and to exemplify their knowledge and skills as independent researchers.
Can I audit a program if I do not have a Bachelor’s degree? Candidates who do not possess a Bachelor’s degree may audit a program with special approval. Audits participate in all monthly class sessions and are encouraged to complete all coursework, thus gaining the same experience as those who are enrolled in a degree. For more information about auditing, please contact an Admissions Representative.
Are there any pre-requisites to enrolling one of the Institute’s Master of Arts degrees? The Graduate Institute strives to engage participants of diverse academic backgrounds. While eligible applicants must possess a Bachelor’s degree for admission to the Institute, there is no pre-requisite in terms of subject area. Due to the transdisciplinary nature of the Institute’s curricula, undergraduate study in the arts, sciences, and/or or humanities will serve as valuable assets to embarking upon a Master of Arts degree in an emerging field of inquiry.
What kind of career opportunities exist for alumni of The Graduate Institute? The Graduate Institute’s alumni have demonstrated a high level of success in their professional achievements. Because the Institute’s degree programs are focused on self evolution as well as professional development, participants gain important skills for exercising creativity, building capacity and insight, and implementing new ideas in a variety of situations and contexts. Each program is structured in a way that allows participants to direct the path of their learning, thus serving as active co-creators in the outcome of a particular avenue of study. The mentorship(s) and Culminating Project are intended as opportunities for formalizing and implementing one’s goals within the context of a supportive learning community. In so doing, many participants discover that their experiences in one of the Institute’s degree programs lead toward lasting professional achievements. Colleagues are encouraged to take initiative and become leaders of their own learning while thriving under the guidance of their cohort community and program faculty. When it comes to developing new ideas, the sky is the limit in terms of what one might achieve! Here are some examples of the types of careers that have been filled by The Graduate Institute’s alumni: -
Coaches, Counselors, and Consultants in industries of wellness, personal development, stress management, organizational behavior, and corporate leadership -
Teachers, Librarians, and Administrators -
Community Health Educators -
Writers and Researchers -
Community Organizers and Activists -
Holistic Practitioners and Guides -
Movement and Expressive Arts Facilitators -
Integrative Nurses, Physicians, and other Practitioners -
Entrepreneurs in business, community, the arts, and not-for-profit enterprises -
Informal Educators and Youth Workers -
Storytellers, Artists, Musicians, and other Performers -
Living Historians and Curators -
Social Workers and Psychotherapists |
